Landmark
Hongya Cave
An 11-story stilt house complex rising 79 meters along the cliff, illuminated at night like a scene from "Spirited Away." Over 12 million visitors annually.
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Free (reservation required)
Chongqing's history stretches back over 3,000 years to the ancient Ba Kingdom. The city's strategic position at the confluence of two great rivers made it a natural trading hub, and it grew prosperous through water transport.
During the Song Dynasty, the area became known for its salt production and river commerce. The city walls built in the Ming Dynasty featured 17 gates, of which only a few remain today. Hongya Cave's history as a Buddhist site dates to this period.
The city's most transformative moment came during World War II. In 1937, the Nationalist government retreated here, making Chongqing the wartime capital. The population swelled as refugees poured in, and the city endured devastating Japanese bombing raids. The Jiefangbei monument was originally built to commemorate the war victory.
After 1949, Chongqing became a major industrial center. In 1997, it became China's fourth municipality directly under central government control, sparking rapid development. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam brought massive changes, with over a million people relocated from the reservoir area.
Today, Chongqing is a major tech hub and manufacturing center, while preserving its unique mountain city character. The city's 3D urbanism and hotpot culture have made it a global tourist destination.